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Declines in Physical Activity among New Zealand Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Analyses of Five Data Waves from Pre-Pandemic through April 2021

Author

Listed:
  • Oliver W. A. Wilson

    (Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand)

  • Hamish McEwen

    (Sport New Zealand, Wellington 6140, New Zealand)

  • Paul Kelly

    (Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8FF, UK)

  • Justin Richards

    (Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
    Sport New Zealand, Wellington 6140, New Zealand)

Abstract

Insights specific to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity participation in New Zealand (NZ) is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine longitudinal changes in leisure-time physical activity from pre-pandemic through April 2021. Demographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation, disability status) and numerous indicators of leisure-time physical activity participation were assessed in a cohort of NZ adults (n = 1854, 54.6% women) over five waves (pre-pandemic, April 2020, June 2020, September 2020, and April 2021). Repeat measures were completed for: proportion participating in any physical activity; proportion meeting aerobic physical activity recommendations; physical activity duration; number of physical activities. There was a significant ( p < 0.05) decline in mean physical activity duration and number of activities during the initial lockdown period in April 2020, but the proportion participating in any physical activity and the proportion meeting physical activity recommendations remained stable. However, all four physical activity participation indicators were significantly ( p < 0.05) below pre-pandemic levels in all subsequent waves. Considerable and sustained declines in NZ adult leisure-time physical activity participation were evident over the first year of the pandemic. As of April 2021, physical activity participation showed limited signs of recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver W. A. Wilson & Hamish McEwen & Paul Kelly & Justin Richards, 2022. "Declines in Physical Activity among New Zealand Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Analyses of Five Data Waves from Pre-Pandemic through April 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4041-:d:782023
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wendy J. O’Brien & Claire E. Badenhorst & Nick Draper & Arindam Basu & Catherine A. Elliot & Michael J. Hamlin & John Batten & Danielle Lambrick & James Faulkner, 2021. "Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing during the First COVID-19 Containment in New Zealand: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Antonio Garriga & Nuria Sempere-Rubio & María José Molina-Prados & Raquel Faubel, 2021. "Impact of Seasonality on Physical Activity: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Kathrin Wunsch & Korbinian Kienberger & Claudia Niessner, 2022. "Changes in Physical Activity Patterns Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-48, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

    exercise; COVID-19; coronavirus;
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